There is a fine line between drawing upon things in the past, as indeed anything creative does, and moving so much into an era where everything is a pseudo version of something else. Whoever straddles that balance remains something truly original.

For years, failing was solely based on how I thought others saw me and how I felt I should be acting in accordance to how others were acting. "I haven't been photographed like this person has", "why don't I get in magazines like that person"... These thoughts were rife. What was missing actually was a concentration on what I actually wanted and thought was important.

In terms of the aesthetic portrayal of women to be something attainable, responsibility lays at the hands of labels and advertising agencies and fashion magazines. What is promoted as healthy and all encompassing and desirable is actually unobtainable. This isn't adhering to the human condition, this is exploiting and manipulating it for monetary gain. The only reality going on here is a lining of the coffers

You may have read pop singer Will Young's Huffington Post blog recently in which he rightly railed against park wardens who refused to help him find his dog Esme due to 'health and safety rules'. Three times the worried singer asked wardens for a lift in their vehicles to help search for his errant pooch and three times he was refused on 'health and safety' grounds.

Gay Pride has changed largely due to the context it now operates in. Gay rights have evolved so much it is just wonderful to be a part of a country that celebrates difference. There are still prejudices to overcome. Young gay people can still not feel comfortable at school. With the word 'dyke' being used 1000 times a day on Twitter, 'faggot' 4,500 times a day. With 26% of young gay people attempting suicide and 52% self harming and the word 'gay' banded around as a pejorative description of something defunct and wrong, Gay Pride's message should be about sustaining what we have and looking to improve the lives of young gay people. To protect them through education and allow our young people to see that difference isn't bad, it is something to be celebrated.

Talking about feelings runs the risk of ridicule and rejection. The idea of finally plucking up the courage to talk to someone about what is emotionally going on lays ourselves open and bare to others opinions and in worst case scenario judgment and rejection. What is more excruciating than chastising oneself for harboring feelings that aren't seen as healthy? To share these feelings and be judged and rejected by a family member or partner of friend. Who would risk that?

If you continually cater towards the worst case scenario all sense of individuality and creativity is lost. In the arts community a defensive attitude is what leads to dull records, drab theatre and films that are so formulaic thought is not necessary. The fear factor spills over into all avenues of life. I want to remain optimistic. I want to be allowed to act with some suitable risk and courage and I want responsibility for my life...

From the beginning, the backstage area of pop was a haven for gays - TV producers, set designers, clothes designers, stylists and especially managers. Mostly the artists themselves were not gay, which gave their introduction to gay culture all the more impact.

The House of Lords debated the government bill on gay marriage and came out with an overwhelming majority. Brilliant. Well done men in robes and we all go home? Not quite. As I listened to Lord Dear spew out his old-fashioned views on what marriage is. I thought to myself... why is this person having any say on and a potential threat to legislation? My annoyance with Lord Dear's statements is that they represent an archaic notion of the sanctity of marriage that is delusional at best and at worst misleading and fuel for the fire of homophobic rhetoric.

I'm just saying Nick Grimshaw's story seems a little contrived. And given the sheer size of the wave of popularity he's riding (he has the endorsement of Harry Styles and just about every other imaginable celebrity after all) he's not being called up on it. And that makes me angry.

What really draws attention are the vocals of Horse. With over two decades in the industry, she still feels fresh and shows a real passion for performing. A raw emotion loaded display and the pure energy emanating from the stage left the audience, ultimately, wanting more.

I guess Father Christmas must feel this way when he puts on the red coat and climbs into his sleigh. I am talking about the warm glow that returns seasonally once a year when BBCMusic Entertainment get out the glitter cannons and the reindeer hats and send for the neon signs that say 'TOP OF THE POPS'.